Harmony woman begins organization to promote health, fitness for families

12/22/2010 9:32:00 AM
Harmony woman begins organization to promote health, fitness for families
By Melissa Vander Plas


Melinda Lutes of Harmony is on a crusade. She sees the health issues facing Americans these days, including the rise in childhood obesity and the lack of physical activity in one's daily life. So, she's doing something to combat these unhealthy trends, while getting families excited about living a healthful life.

Lutes has recently started a nonprofit organization, Project Fit Families, that will focus on educating children about physical fitness and healthy living through special events and programs.

Lutes explained that she hopes to supplement the education kids are already getting in schools by adding fun and interesting events the children can do with their families.

"The programs I am planning are geared more toward the kids," she said, "but they will definitely involve the families."

Parents serve as role models of health for a child and so eating well and exercising together will instill good habits at an early age, Lutes added.

Lutes is planning two events in 2011 that will be hosted by Project Fit Families. The first will be held in Selvig Park in Harmony on Saturday, June 18. The second will be held a week later at Riverside Park in La Crosse.

Both events will include a 5K walk/run for families that will transition into a carnival with activities, sports, fitness fun and many vendors providing information about health and fitness.

A website for Project Fit Families is currently under development and will "go live" shortly after the new year, Lutes explained. Through this venue, families will be able to find healthful recipes and a suggested physical activity each week. A public forum will allow families to interact with each other and share recipes and activities that they enjoy. Look for it at www.projectfitfamilies.org.

Lutes is also looking forward to getting involved in school programs, serving as a resource for healthful living and working with coaches and teachers to provide mentoring for local youth.

Through Project Fit Families, Lutes will also be promoting planting family gardens with fresh fruits and vegetables being readily available. It will also enable quality time for parents and children, working together to grow a product with great rewards.

Lutes said, as she begins this new crusade, that she is really targeting childhood obesity. "Children need to have a balance," she said. "They need to eat better and be more active."

Educating parents and children on how to create healthful meals is also important. Lutes urges parents to eliminate the "processed garbage" and focus on using fresh produce, lean protein and multi-grains in each meal.

Parents also have the responsibility for keeping their children active. There are so many ways to do this, Lutes noted, including a simple walk after dinner, working in the garden together, or playing a game of basketball. "It doesn't all have to be seen as exercise," she said. "A lot of it can be play."

Lutes, herself, has struggled with weight throughout her life. As a child, she had many health issues, she explained. Then, she became a model and developed an eating disorder, which caused her to become too thin to be considered healthy. After she married and had children, her weight increased and, again, she became unhappy with her body image.

That is when she took control and began making changes in her life. Now, at a healthy and fit weight, Lutes has lost 100 pounds and is feeling great. She has become a certified fitness trainer and personal trainer and has studied nutrition.

For her own daily nutrition, she eats six small meals, each with a small serving of protein. "It regulates the blood sugar and keeps your metabolism strong," Lutes explained.

"Doing little things can make a huge difference," she shared. "Diet is 75 percent of the fight in weight loss, but exercise is important for the heart, lungs and muscles."

Lutes teaches fitness classes in Harmony and Lanesboro. She offers a boot camp class as well as one called "Project Hot Body." Soon, she will be certified in teaching Zumba classes as well. If one is interesting in joining one of her classes, call her at (507) 951-9980.

She noted that she is also certified to do personal training, life coaching and nutritional planning.

Lutes will soon begin fundraising efforts to help her promote Project Fit Families and the programs it will hold. There will be sponsorship opportunities during her community events and individuals will be able to donate to the cause through the website.

As a nonprofit, Lutes explained that all the money raised will go toward the local programs in schools and supporting summer recreational programs that keep kids active. She also hopes to be able to award scholarships and educational opportunities for local youth.

"I've been on both sides," said Lutes as she summarized her goals. "I've been extremely underweight and I have been overweight. It's heartbreaking to see the pressure there is amongst girls and women, especially, to have the 'perfect' body."

As she announced her upcoming programs, Lutes is already thinking about the bigger picture - hoping to expand these events each year so that one day they may encompass an entire "fitness festival weekend."

"My ultimate goal is go national," Lutes explained. "I hope to make Project Fit Families a well-known name and to have it easily recognizable. It's a life dream."